Solid and Liquid Phases of Anaerobic Digestate for Sustainable Use of Agricultural Soil

Given the growth in the number of biogas power plants and the increase in the generation of waste from energy production, it is relevant to study the sustainable nature of this waste. Digestate is a product of the anaerobic digestion process, and is a valuable bio-fertilizer containing organic matter and nutrients necessary for agricultural plants' growth. The study showed that different rates of liquid and solid phases of anaerobic digestate influenced the contents of carbon and nitrogen in genetically young soil in alluvial deposits-Fluvisol. The application of solid digestate (SD) considerably increased soil organic carbon content (SOC) in the 0-10 cm soil layer; however, SOC did not reach the 20-30 cm layer. Liquid digestate (LD) significantly increased SOC in the deeper layers. The levels of mineral nitrogen (N-min) and water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) increased in the 0-10 cm soil layer soon after fertilization with LD and SD. The mobile components of the soil (N-min and WEOC) were characterized by high variability during the growing season. Within the 2-month period, their concentrations decreased drastically and were close to those of unfertilized soil. The research indicates that anaerobic digestate had a greater effect on mobile forms of carbon and nitrogen in the soil than on their total amounts.

Automated summary

Given the growth of biogas power plants and the increase in waste from energy production, studying the sustainable nature of this waste is important. Digestate, a product of anaerobic digestion, is a valuable bio-fertilizer containing organic matter and necessary nutrients for plant growth. The study found that different ratios of liquid and solid digestate affected carbon and nitrogen contents in alluvial soil. Solid digestate increased soil organic carbon in the upper layer, while liquid digestate increased it in deeper layers. Nitrogen and organic carbon levels increased in the upper layer after fertilization but decreased over time. The research implies that anaerobic digestate has a greater impact on mobile forms of carbon and nitrogen in soil.